Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 May 2015

Damac to deliver over 35,000 units

UAE-based luxury projects developer Damac Properties is set to deliver more than 35,000 residential units and hotel apartments in Dubai over the next five years, said a report.

The mixed platter includes everything from branded luxury homes and high-end hotel apartments to serviced villas and affordable residential units, reported the Gulf News, citing a top official.

Niall McLoughlin, senior vice-president, said till date Damac has delivered 13,000 units.

The Dubai developer is presently constructing 2,200 villas and 10 low-rise buildings on a 42-million-sq-ft area at Akoya By Damac, its first masterplanned project off Umm Suqueim Road, stated the official.

GGICO to build affordable homes

GGICO, a diversified conglomerate, has launched its latest real estate project located at Dubai’s Silicon Oasis, continuing with its popular model of offering high quality housing through affordable payment plans.

Phase One of Topaz Residences is being launched with one-bedroom apartments, fully equipped kitchen, with supplied appliances including a cooker, washing machine, fridge and microwave.

The apartments are appointed with luxury fitted bathrooms and have a high degree of finishing, with solid wood doors and contemporary interior designs throughout. Premium communal facilities include swimming pool, a fully equipped gym with steam room and sauna. “Buying in Topaz Residences is a great opportunity for owner occupiers or investors – it ticks all the boxes for the purchase of property in Dubai,” said Andrew Chambers, CEO of GGICO Properties, the real estate arm of GGICO.

The development features amenities like shops, restaurants, clinics and banks.

EM Tech wins ISO certifications

Tech Group, a construction conglomerate headquartered in Ajman, said its mechanical, electrical and plumbing unit EM Tech has been awarded ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004 and Ohsas 18001:2007 certifications for implementing quality management systems, demonstrating environmental care and occupational safety.

The company also has operations in the emirates of Sharjah and Dubai.

The ISO 9001:2008 enables a company to demonstrate its commitment to quality and customer satisfaction as well as continuously improving its operations, said the company.

ISO 14001:2004 provides guidance to organisations for determining environmental issues and aspects associated with their activities in order to manage them most effectively.

Ohsas 18001:2007 ensures that a company’s commitment to a safe working environment and to protecting employees against injury at work is in place, it added.

Geze to secure Adnoc HQ

ABU DHABI National Oil Company’s (Adnoc) new headquarters, which is nearing completion, is to feature cutting-edge door technology.

Geze, the innovative window and door systems solutions leaders, will be equipping the entire 77-storey skyscraper standing at a height of 342 m with the latest closer technology and automatic door systems.

The office complex, which has been under construction for the last five years, is expected to be completed this year. Designed by US architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK), the new Adnoc headquarters will be the second tallest building in Abu Dhabi – the 381-m-high, 88-storey mega structure The Domain being the first.

The $490-million headquarters project features includes a courtyard, a museum and an underground car park that is connected to the building via a tunnel.

About 2,500 door closers from the Geze boxer series are being integrated during the construction process to ensure safe closing of doors coupled with fire safety systems in case of emergencies. The 120 large automatic sliding doors with power drives from Geze also ensure automatic door control and safety.

Galvanised steel plant planned

United Iron & Steel (UIS), a joint venture between UAE-based Abdul Jalil Group and Safid Group, a leading manufacturer of indoor climate solutions based in Saudi Arabia, has announced plans to build a new galvanised steel production plant in Abu Dhabi, at an investment of Dh1 billion ($272 million).

A leading player in the region, UIS said the new plant will come up on a 126,000-sq-m area in the ICAD (Industrial City Abu Dhabi) 3. The construction work will be completed in two phases, said Al Diyar General Contracting Company of the UAE, which has been signed up as the main civil contractor for the project.

UIS said it aims to produce up to 250,000 tonnes of galvanised steel per year for customers in the Middle East, Europe and Africa at its new plant by the fourth quarter of 2016.

Masdar residential project under way

Masdar , a major renewable energy company in Abu Dhabi, UAE, said it has started construction of a residential complex in Masdar City, the low-carbon, sustainable urban development in the emirate.

This will help in meeting Abu Dhabi’s rising need for new residences as the emirate’s average annual population growth of 7.7 per cent has created a significant demand for housing in the emirate that currently outstrips supply, said a senior official.

“The start of construction of the residential complex is an important step forward toward completing the vision of Masdar City as a complete ecosystem focused on sustainability and innovation,” remarked CEO Dr Ahmad Belhoul.